Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders

Tao Xie, MD, PhD, Director of the Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorder Clinic

Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorder Program

At the University of Chicago Medicine Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Program, our expert team understand that effective care is customized to the unique symptoms and needs of each patient. We specialize in the treatment and management of complicated and rare movement disorders, as well as symptoms of progressive neurodegenerative diseases. Our movement disorder specialists strive to provide high-quality care, state-of-the-art research and the latest education for patients with Parkinson’s disease, tremor and other movement disorders.

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Conditions We Treat:

Ataxia
Blepharospasm
Chorea
Cortical basal degeneration
Dystonia
Dyskinesias
Essential tremor
Hemifacial spasm
Huntington's disease
Multiple system atrophy
Myoclonus
Parkinson's disease
Parkinsonian syndrome
Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP)
Tics
Tourette syndrome
Rett syndrome
Wilson's disease

Parkinson's Disease Symptoms

Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disease of the nervous system that causes impaired or involuntary movements and can affect behavior, mood and other non-motor functions of the body. Parkinson's disease is a progressive disease, meaning it worsens over time. Diagnosis usually occurs after age 55, though early onset at a younger age is also possible.

Parkinson's disease is caused by the progressive loss of a certain type of neuron cells in the brain. This results in a shortage of the chemical messenger called dopamine, which is important for controlling the body’s motor functions.

Symptoms include:

Tremor, most commonly starting in the hands but can also occur in the tongue, jaw and legs
Stiff or rigid muscles (spasticity)
Slow movement (bradykinesia)
Decreased vocal volume
Lack of facial expression
Abnormally small handwriting (micrographia)
Shuffling gait (an impaired walk, as if the feet are stuck to the floor)
Decreased arm movement when walking
Difficulty with balance, posture or gait, which may result in falls

PD symptoms can often be controlled with medication alone, or with a combination of medication and surgical intervention, such as deep brain stimulation (DBS), for patients who meet certain criteria. The extent to which symptoms can be reduced depends on each patient’s individual circumstances. At UChicago Medicine, our goal is to improve symptoms so our patients can enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

Essential Tremor Symptoms

Essential tremor, also known as benign familial tremor, is the most common movement disorder. Characterized by uncontrollable shaking, essential tremor progresses slowly. It is distinctly different from Parkinson’s disease, although commonly misdiagnosed. Some patients may have essential tremor and Parkinson's disease.

Symptoms include:

Difficulty with precise tasks (threading a needle)
Excessive shaking in hands
Inability to dress or feed yourself
Shaking in tongue
Shaking in arms
Tremor in voice
Tremor in neck

Treatment plans for essential tremor may involve medication, surgery or a combination of both. Initial treatment often includes propranolol or primidone, which are medications that have proven effective in about half of patients. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery is a highly effective treatment option for patients who are eligible candidates.

Why Choose UChicago Medicine for Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Treatment?

UChicago Medicine is an Information and Referral Center of the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) and a Center of Care for CurePSP.
Our physicians are experts in deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery and actively research and develop techniques to enhance the effectiveness of DBS surgery.
We are one of the only hospitals in the region with an intraoperative CT scanner and the first hospital in the Chicagoland area to use the new Percept PC DBS system.

Parkinson’s Disease Information and Referral Center

The University of Chicago Medicine Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Program supports the mission and values of the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA). The APDA recognizes UChicago Medicine as an Information and Referral Center. The APDA provides a dedicated coordinator to help patients with Parkinson’s live life to the fullest in the face of this chronic, neurological disorder.

Living with Parkinson’s disease goes beyond a diagnosis. The Information and Referral Center is a resource for patients, loved ones and health care providers. We want to help patients throughout their treatment, but also, to connect them to a supportive local and national APDA community.

American Parkinson Disease Association Resources

CurePSP Center of Care Resources

APDA Support Groups

For questions or to sign up for a group, contact Nicole Reidy at 1-773-834-1688 or nicole.reidy@uchicagomedicine.org.

Education and Enrichment Group

What: This group combines education, enrichment and exercise for those who have Parkinson’s disease. The exercise sessions include dance, yoga, physical therapy and rock steady boxing led by licensed professionals. The educational sessions include a variety of speakers including neurologists Dr. Xie and Dr. Padmanaban, a physical therapist, a speech/swallow therapist and a nutritionist.

When: The first and third Monday of each month from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. CST.

Where: Zoom